Eliciting speech with sentence lists — a critical evaluation with special emphasis on segmental anchoring

Abstract

We show on the basis of German that prosodic patterns change in the course of a traditional sentence-list elicitation. Two frequent methods are analyzed: sentence-frame and syntax-frame elicitations. While only the sentences of the sentence-frame elicitation show an increase in speaking rate, both elicitation methods cause a drastic reduction in the alignment variability of nuclear pitch-accent rises. So, the starting point for the idea of segmental anchoring, i.e. the characteristic stable alignment of L and H targets, could primarily be due to a training effect based on the continuous production of analogously constructed or identical carrier sentences. Detailed pitch-accent analyses also offer alternative interpretations for anchoring patterns. Methodologically, in order to avoid training effects in pitchaccent production, our findings suggest using the syntax-frame method and short sentence lists of 40 items or less.